The music faltered when Daisy and Aaron walked back into the ballroom.
Conversations trailed off. Heads turned. Eyes dropped to the ring on Daisy's finger, then jumped away again, as if looking too long might burn.
She felt every stare.
For once, they didn't weigh her down.
Aaron gave her arm the slightest squeeze. “One lap," he murmured. “Then we can escape again."
“One lap," she agreed.
They moved through the room together.
People parted without being asked. A few bowed to Aaron. A few dipped shallow curtsies to Daisy, uncertain and quick. No one dared block their path.
Amanda was gone.
Charles was gone.
Rosalie stood alone near one of the tall windows. Her blue gown hung limp, her face blotchy. The friends who had crowded around her earlier now kept their distance, suddenly fa
